Scott smiled when he saw his boyfriend and Esther walk backstage. He hoped that this would mean that they were getting ready to go home at last. While Scott enjoyed the little party immensely, he still was excited to go back to Avi's place.

Avi noticed that he was looking at him, pulled his phone out of his pocket and waved with it subtly.

Scott understood this gesture took his phone out of his pocket so he would be able to receive Avi's message.

"Is it time to go home?" Mitch asked him. "Don't look at me like this. I noticed that subtle wave with the phone."

Scott chuckled. "Yeah, I'm expecting a message, I think."

Mitch smiled. "Cool. I would book myself an uber as well."

"Maybe Esther would stop at our place? I could just drop my suitcase in my room, take some fresh clothing and you would be home" Scott mused.

Mitch shrugged his shoulders. "Why not. But if she doesn't want to stop I can always take your suitcase home with me. You'd just have to get clothes tomorrow or start wearing his merch again."

Scott chuckled. "I wouldn't mind, but-" his phone vibrated and he immediately opened the message. "Fuck."

"What's wrong?" Mitch asked when he saw the distraught expression on his best friend's face. and then decided to just look at Scott's screen to read the message himself.

"Scott. I am so sorry. I don't know if and when it will blow up, but a paparazzo has taken pictures from you and Avi cuddling somewhere backstage. I don't know how they managed to do this, but it's clear that it's him and you. I will try my very best to delay an article from our portal, but I don't know who else has the pictures. I will send a message to Avi and Esther, too. I am sorry, Scott. Take care of Avi and yourself, please. Mia."

Since Scott wasn't able to do anything, Mitch clicked on the picture. One look was enough to see that it was indeed Scott and Avi. While Scott's face wasn't visible, Avi's was. "That's so fucked up," Mitch said.

"Why him. He's been through enough shit. He just wants to be happy" Scott said sadly.

"He probably was at the wrong place at the wrong time," Mitch said.

Scott nodded slowly, then faltered. "Avi. I have to get to him. He'll panic if he sees the pictures."

"We need to get to him," Mitch said. He took the hand of his still stunned best friend and led him backstage.

Scott pulled himself out of his stupor when he saw Avi and Esther standing in the hallway next to the bathrooms. "Avi?" he said softly.

Avi looked up, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he turned away. "I'll get my things."

Esther sighed. "Wait, I'll help you," she said but stayed behind for a moment. "He wants to go home. If you want to, we'll take you, too, Mitch."

Mitch just nodded and then turned to Scott. "Hey, Scotty. We need to get your stuff."

But Scott didn't move. "Why is he like that? Why doesn't he break down? I can handle it when he breaks down, but this... so not Avi. Do you think he took pills?"

"Okay, I'm going to stop you right here, Scott," Mitch said. "Take a deep breath, you're rambling. He waited until Scott had done so. "Good. Now, I think that he's in some state of shock. He probably just saw the pictures and his brain decided to go into emergency mode. You'll probably go home with him. Please take good care of him. He will break down eventually. When is his appointment with the Doc?"

"Wednesday," Scott said immediately.

"Good. Tell you what. I have an appointment tomorrow at 5.30 pm and I'll gladly give it up for him. This is something he cannot do alone. If he's ready to talk tomorrow, please let him take my appointment, okay?" Mitch said.

Scott nodded. "I will," he said and closed his eyes. "It's just a lot..."

Mitch took his hand and squeezed it softly. "I know. And if you need anything, I'll be just a phone call away. No matter which time it is, okay?"

"Thank you. Right now I just hope that I can get him to sleep easily. I'm exhausted. Ready to stay up all night for him, but exhausted nonetheless.

Mitch softly pecked Scott's jaw. "Once this mess is solved, we'll get you on a nice weekend trip to Palms Springs, hmm? Do some wellness."

Scott smiled slightly. "I would love that," he said, closed his eyes momentarily and then took a deep breath. "Okay, we need to get going. I need to grab my stuff. Can you help me?"

Mitch nodded. "Of course, dear."

~

"Do you need anything else? Shall I make some tea?" Esther asked once they had carried Scott's and Avi's luggage into the house.

"I just want to go to bed," Avi said. "But thank you."

Esther smiled. "Of course. Anything for my brother. We'll go home then. Will you call me tomorrow?"

Avi nodded, but he didn't say anything and only returned the hugs from Esther and Mitch half-heartedly.

"No tea?" Scott asked once more when the two of them were alone.

Avi shook his head. "Bed" he just said and went into the hallway and grabbed his suitcase.

"Leave it here. It will still be there tomorrow. For now, let's just get you to bed, hm?" Scott said softly.

Avi looked at the suitcase and Scott before he finally nodded. "I guess."

Scott followed Avi and went into the bedroom while Avi went to brush his teeth. He laid out the sheets for them and ran downstairs once more to get two bottles of water. Once Avi was back, the blonde went into the bathroom to get ready for bed himself. He hurried up, not wanting to leave his boyfriend alone for too long.

When he walked back into the bedroom, he saw that Avi was already under the sheets. "Someone is really tired, hmm?"

Avi just nodded and hummed.

Scott smiled and laid down next to him. "Do you need anything else? An audiobook? Music?"

Avi shook his head. "No... just quiet please."

"Of course." That request was unusual for Scott, but he accepted it anyway. He leaned over to turn off the lights and got comfortable under the blanket.

He waited for Avi to cuddle up against him, but it didn't happen.

So Scott just whispered "Good night, Avi. Let me know if you need me."

"Mmhm... night" Avi mumbled back.

Scott noticed that his boyfriend was fast asleep within a few moments and he just hoped for a calm night for both of them as he drifted off as well.

~~~~